Christine Masseth, "Jacob Bender Family History", p. 11-12; privately held by P.Weiss, Seattle Washington. The section includes a photocopy of a page from an unnamed book listing the Bender family members on the S.S. Lessing.

In 1874, Jacob made the decision to leave his native land of Russia and sought to make his home in Ameria.
Joseph and his family immigrated to the United States of America. They came from Worm's Russia. Upon arrival in Hamburg, Germany; the immigrants were required to pass a health exam before a ship ticket was issued to them. Their route was from Hamburg Germany, to New York. Jacob and his family came over on a Vessel called the "S.S. Lessing".
Upon arrival in New York, on November 12, 1874, they realized that without some grasp of the English language, they would have difficulty communicating. For new immigrants often their first words were: Dakota, yes, no and tickets. After another lengthy train ride from New York to Chicago, and then to Yankton, where they were met by relatives and friends from their native land.